Ending DOGE Conflicts Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1321

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2025-07-03T14:55:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Ending DOGE Conflicts Act" (H.R. 1321) aims to increase transparency and prevent potential conflicts of interest by requiring certain temporary federal workers—known as special Government employees—who have significant business ties to the government to disclose their financial information. This extends existing ethics rules to ensure these individuals report assets and income that could influence their government work.

Key Provisions

• Applicability: Starting on the date the Act is enacted, special Government employees (defined under federal law as individuals serving the government temporarily or intermittently, typically fewer than 130 days in a year) who own, control shares in, or serve as CEO of a company with federal contracts must file financial disclosure reports.
• Disclosure Requirements: These employees must comply with the financial disclosure rules in subchapter I of chapter 131, title 5 of the U.S. Code (which requires reporting income, assets, liabilities, and transactions over certain thresholds to identify potential conflicts).
• Review Process: The Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) will receive, review, and certify these reports for compliance.
• Interim Restriction: Until their initial disclosure report is certified as complete and compliant, these employees are barred from performing any official government duties.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, financial disclosure requirements under title 5 applied mainly to full-time federal officers and certain regular employees (as outlined in section 13103(f)). This Act expands those rules to include specific special Government employees with business interests in federal contracting, closing a gap for temporary roles.
• It adds a new layer of oversight by assigning the OGE Director explicit responsibility for reviewing these disclosures, which was not previously mandated for this group.
• Introduces a temporary "cooling-off" period prohibiting duties until disclosures are cleared, which is a novel enforcement mechanism not directly in prior law for this category.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Agencies hiring special Government employees (e.g., for advisory or consulting roles) may face delays in onboarding due to the interim prohibition, potentially slowing decision-making on contracts or policy. It could also reduce reliance on business leaders in temporary roles if disclosures reveal conflicts.
• On Citizens: Enhances public trust in government by promoting transparency, helping to prevent undue influence from private business interests in federal decisions. No direct impact on everyday citizens' finances or services.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct effects, though it could indirectly affect U.S. negotiations or contracts involving foreign companies if special employees with international business ties are involved.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Special Government Employees: Primarily business owners, executives, or shareholders serving in temporary federal roles, who now face mandatory disclosures and potential work restrictions.
• Office of Government Ethics (OGE): Gains expanded responsibilities for reviewing and certifying reports, increasing its workload.
• Federal Agencies and Contractors: Agencies like those involved in procurement (e.g., Department of Defense) and companies holding government contracts may need to adjust hiring practices to comply.
• Congress and Oversight Committees: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, indicating scrutiny from lawmakers focused on ethics.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal ethics laws (e.g., under titles 5 and 18 of the U.S. Code) by broadening disclosure mandates, potentially reducing litigation over conflicts of interest. The interim prohibition could be challenged if seen as overly restrictive on temporary service, but it aligns with existing anti-corruption frameworks.
• Constitutional: Supports the emoluments clause (Article I, Section 9) by mitigating risks of private gain influencing public office, without directly altering constitutional structures.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan ethics reform (introduced by a diverse group of House members), but could spark debate over burdens on expert advisors in government. The short title's reference to "DOGE" (possibly alluding to a proposed government efficiency initiative) suggests targeted political intent to address emerging advisory roles outside traditional disclosure rules.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]

Cosponsors (86)

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-31], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] and 36 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Ending DOGE Conflicts Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (3 pages)